Cabinet structure



May 6, 1969 F. R. scRooP 3,442,563

CABINET STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 22, 1967 United States Patent O 3,442,563 CABINET STRUCTURE Francis R. Scroop, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignor to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 662,466 Int. Cl. A47b 81/00, 77/08; E05c 7/06 U.S. Cl. 312--223 14 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A refrigerator cabinet having a mechanism for preventing sealing closing of the cabinet door in the event that the refrigerator is disconnected from the electrical power supply, or in the event that the shelves are removed from the refrigerator permitting a child to be fully received within the refrigerator to possibly suifocate therein.

This invention relates to cabinet structures and in particular to means for preventing suffocation of a child in a sealingly closeable cabinet structure, such as a refrigerator cabinet structure.

A serious threat to the safety of children has been found to exist in the possible sulfocation of such children in discarded refrigrators and the like having sealingly closeable doors. Thus, numerous instances have been reported wherein children in playing with such discarded refrigerators have become locked in the refrigerator chamber and suffocated therein as the result of a lack of ventilation of the chamber. Laws relating to the control of abandonment and discarding of such sealingly closeable cabinets have not proven completely effective in preventing this serious problem, and resort has been had to the provision of different devices for effectively preventing the sealed locking of such cabinet doors. The present devices for this purpose have similarly not proven completely effective and have certain disadvantages in the use thereof. Illustratively, safety locks have been devised for preventing the closing of the refrigerator cabinet door when the refrigerator is electrically disconnected. Such known devices, however, have the disadvantage of requiring the door to be retained relatively widely open so that if, for example, the user wishes to disconnect the refrigerator such as while on vacation the refrigerator is maintained in a fully opened condition, whereas the user may prefer that the door be merely maintained slightly ajar. Similarly, devices have been developed for preventing sealed closure of the refrigerator door when the shelving has been removed to permit a child to be fully received in the refrigerator chamber. Here again, the known devices have the disadvantage of not providing for a relatively closed arrangement of the refrigerator door while positively maintaining a vent. Further, the known devices utilize relatively expensive mechanical and electrical mechanisms 4for providing the different functions.

The present invention comprehends an improved antisuifocation cabinet structure eliminating the disadvantages of the above discussed cabinet structures in a novel, simple and economical manner.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a cabinet structure having new and improved means for use in preventing suffocation such as of a child therein.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a cabinet structure permitting a substantially closed arrangement ofthe cabinet door, while yet effectively maintaining a vent from the chamber when the apparatus is not in use.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a cabinet structure having new and improved means 3,442,563 Patented May 6, 1969 ICC for maintaining the vented condition of the chamber selectively as a function of the electrical disconnection of electrical apparatus associated with the cabinet, or the removal of shelves from the chamber.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a cabinet structure wherein the means for preventing the sealed closure of the cabinet includes switch means associated with the shelves of the cabinet.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a cabinet structure utilizing a magnetic gasket for sealing the closure door to the cabinet and wherein the vent maintaining means is arranged to permit a partial sealing of the closure by the magnetic gasket while effectively, positively precluding a complete sealing closure therebetween under predetermined conditions of the cabinet structure.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a refrigerator having means for preventing suffocation of a child in the chamber thereof embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section thereof taken along the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the front portion of the refrigerator, with the door in the partially closed position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section thereof illustrating the arrangement of the closure preventing means in the arrangement for preventing full sealed closure of the door to the cabinet.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section illustrating the arrangement of the closure preventing means in the condition for permitting closure of the door;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control circuit thereof; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary schematic electrical diagram of the control circuit of a modified form of the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a cabinet structure generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a refrigerator cabinet 11 having a door 12 selectively closing the front opening 13 to the refrigerator chamber 14. The door is provided with suitable hinge mounting means 15 for swinging of the door between the opened position of FIGURE 1 wherein the chamber is fully accessible and a closed position wherein the door is sealed to the front cabinet edge 16 by suitable means such as a magnetic gasket 17. The cabinet structure 10 may include suitable electrical equipment (including motor compressor 18 having conventional control means, not shown) for effecting suitable refrigeration of the chamber 14, and electrical power for operation thereof may be provided through a conventional cord 19 provided with a connector 20 for electrical connection to a power supply through a conventional receptacle 21.

The chamber 14 may be sub-divided by a plurality of shelves 22 so that when the shelves are installed the chamber is sub-divided into a plurality of small spaces 14. Thus, while the chamber 14 with all of the shelves removed is sufficiently large to permit a child to be fully received therein, when one or more of the shelves are installed the spaces are insuicient for receiving such a child.

As indicated above, the invention comprehends an improved structure for preventing sulfocation of a child in chamber 14. As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, the cabinet 11 includes an outer shell 23 and an inner liner 24 defining therebetween a space 25 which may be lled throughout the bulk of the cabinet by suitable insulation, such as foamed-in-place insulation 26. As shown in FIGURE 5, the `door 12 may `be similarly constructed of an outer shell panel 27, an inner panel 28 and intermediate insulation 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic gasket sealing strip 17 is shown to comprise a gasket structure similar to that disclosed in Bower et al. U.S. Patent No. 2,958,912, owned by the assignee hereof. As shown in FIGURE 4, a stud or post 30 is mounted on the door 12 to extend inwardly therefrom beyond the gasket 17 to have a nose end 31 thereof move through an opening 32 in the front face 16 of the cabinet wall as the door is swung to the closed position wherein the gasket 17 sealingly engages the front face 16, as shown in FIGURE 5. As shown in FIGURE 1, the post 30 is mounted on the free r distal portion of the door 12, that is, the portion of the door most removed from the edge 33 hingedly mounted on the cabinet 11. The opening 32, as shown in FIGURE l, is disposed in the corresponding space portion of the front face 16.

Control of the penetration of opening 32 by the post 30 is effected by a shutter 34 having an opening 35 therein which is selectively alignable with the opening 32 by means of a conventional solenoid 36 having its plunger 37 connected to the shutter 34 by a suitable connecting means 38. When the solenoid 36 is energized, the plunger 37 is elevated to dispose the shutter opening 35 in alignment with the cabinet face opening 32 to permit the movement of the post end 31 fully through the aligned openings and into the space 25.

In the event that the solenoid 36 is de-energized, a spring 39 urges the shutter 34 downwardly to prevent the insertion of the post end 31 into the space 25, as shown in FIGURE 4. As shown in FIGURE 5, a switch 40 is mounted in space 25 to have an actuator 41 thereof engaged by the post end 31 in the fully inserted position of the post to throw the switch as an incident of the full sealed closing of the door 12 to the cabinet 11.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, the disposition of the respective shelves 22 within the chamber 14 is sensed by a plurality of electrical switches 42. As shown in FIG- URE 6, the switches 42 comprise normally open, single pole switches which are closed by the engagement of the shelves 22 therewith when the shelves are in the fully installed position. Switch 40 comprises a normally closed, single pole switch which is opened by the engagement of the post 30 with the actuator 41. As shown in FIGURE 6 a lamp 43 may be connected in series with the switches 40 and 42 to be illuminated when the door 12 is in the opened position and the shelves are properly installed in the chamber 14.

It may be seen from the circuit illustrated in FIGURE 6 that in the event the connector 20 is not connected to a suitable electrical power supply the solenoid 36 will be de-energized permitting the shutter 34 to be urged down- Iwardly by the spring 39 to prevent movement of the post 30 into the space 25 and thereby prevent the full closing of the door 12. However, as shown in FIGURE 3, notwithstanding the prevention of the full closure of the door, the magnetic gasket 17 may have sealing engagement with a substantial portion of the cabinet face 16 along the section thereof closest to the edge 33. Thus, the chamber 14 remains vented while at the same time the door is substantially in the closed position.

As a further safety device, the signal lamp 43 is connected in series with the shelf switches 42 and thus nonoperation of lamp 43 on opening of door 12 serves as an indication to the user of the absence of any shelf. Further, the switch 40 functions in cooperation with the post 30 to comprise the means for controlling the on and off operation of the lamp 43 as a function of the opened and closed position of the door 12, thus eliminating the need for a separate door operated lamp switch.

When the refrigerator is disconnected from the electrical supply receptacle 21, the opening of the door 12 permits the shutter 34 to move downwardly under the biasing action of the spring 39 to prevent reclosing of the door beyond the position shown in FIGURE 3. Reconnection of the refrigerator to the electrical supply immediately 4 energizes solenoid 36 to raise the shutter 34 and permit the magnetic gasket pull to complete the sealed closure of the door 12 to the cabinet 11.

As the lamp 43 is connected in parallel with the solenoid coil 36, the door 12 may be sealingly closed notwithstanding the burnout of the lamp.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown therein a modified form of the invention in which no shelf switches are required. In the refrigerator control circuit of FIG- URE 7 the refrigerator shelves are arranged to carry a low voltage current when the refrigerator door is open and the shelves are in place, but when a shelf is removed the low voltage circuit is opened, interrupting the flow of current to a relay coil which operates a switch in a circuit which includes a solenoid for operating a shutter. The control circuit of FIGURE 7 is similar to that of FIGURE 6, but additionally includes a low voltage DC power source, for example a 12 volt DC power source illustrated in the form of a battery 50, and a relay coil 51 for actuating a switch 52 in the circuit for energizing a conventional solenoid 36a. The solenoid 36a has a plunger 37a connected to a shutter 34a, while spring 39a urges shutter 34a downwardly, all much as in the circuit of FIGURE 6. Refrigerator shelves 22a of metal construction (two are illustrated in fragmentary form but more may be used) are arranged to bridge electrical contacts connected in series with the low voltage power source 50. When the door of the refrigerator is opened a post 30a carried on the door is moved outward permitting a normally closed switch 40a to close. Closing of switch 40a permits energization of the relay coil 51 causing switch 52 to close permitting energization of solenoid 36a. When solenoid 36a is energized, the plunger 37a is elevated to dispose the shutter opening 35a in alignment with a cooperating opening 32a in the cabinet face and the post 30a can pass through the aligned openings. However, if any of the shelves 22a are removed, current ilow to the relay coil 51 will be interrupted, opening the solenoid 36a circuit, and the shutter 34a will be urged downwardly by the spring 39a to close the opening 32a whereby the post 30a is blocked preventing the door from fully closing against the refrigerator cabinet thus positively venting the refrigerator chamber as described above in connection with the modification of FIGURES 1 6. The FIGURE 7 control circuit also includes a lamp 43a similar in arrangement to that shown in FIGURE 6.

I claim:

f1. In a cabinet structure having wall means defining a chamber of sucient size to fully receive a child, an opening through said wall means of sufficient size to admit a child therethrough, and door means for sealingly closing said opening, means for use in preventing suffocation of a child in said chamber comprising means for holding said door means releasably closely adjacent said opening while positively maintaining a vent from said chamber therepast.

2. The cabinet structure of claim 1 wherein said door holding means includes a magnetic gasket for sealing the door means to the Wall means and means responsive to a preselected condition permitting only partial sealing of the gasket.

3. The cabinet structure of claim 1 including means for hingedly mounting said door means to said wall means at one edge of said opening and wherein said door holding means includes a magnetic gasket for sealing the door means to the 'wall means and means responsive to a preselected condition permitting only partial sealing of the gasket, said last named means being disposed adjacent said opening at a point spaced substantially from said one edge.

4. 'I'he cabinet structure of claim 1 including means for hingedly mounting said door means to said wall means at one edge of said opening and wherein said door holding means includes a magnetic gasket for sealing the door means to the wall means and means responsive to a preselected condition permitting only partial sealing of the gasket, said last named means being disposed at the edge of said opening opposite said one edge.

5. The cabinet structure of claim 1 wherein means are removably disposed within said chamber sub-dividing the chamber into portions each of which is insuflicient to fully receive a child, and means are provided for preventing sealing closing of said opening by said door means in the event said sub-dividing means are removed to permit a child to be fully received in said chamber.

6. The cabinet structure of claim S wherein said closing preventing means comprises electrically operable means and said sub-dividing means includes current carrying means integral therewith arranged to break a circuit to said electrically operable closing preventing means when said sub-dividing means are so removed.

7. The cabinet structure of claim 1 including electrically operated mechanisms carried by said cabinet structure and electrical connector means for connecting said mechanism to a conventional electrical power supply receptacle, said sutfocation preventing means comprising means for preventing sealing closing of said opening by said door in the event said connector means is unconnected to an energized power supply receptacle.

8. The cabinet structure Of claim 1 wherein an electrical lamp is provided for illuminating the chamber and said holding means includes a switch responsive to a sealed closure of the door to said cabinet to preclude energization of said lamp.

9. The cabinet structure of claim 1 wherein said charnber is provided with wall means for dividing the chamber into spaces of insufficient size to fully receive a child, an electrical lamp is provided for illuminating the chamber, and said holding means includes a switch means responsive to the absence of said wall means to preclude energization of said lamp.

10. In a refrigerator -cabinet comprising:

an outer shell;

an interior liner defining a food storage compartment;

a door mounted on said cabinet and providing access to said compartment; a stud member on the door and extending outward to prevent the door from sealing against the cabinet;

means forming an opening to receive the stud in a wall of said cabinet thereby to permit closing of the door in sealing engagement with the cabinet;

a spring biased shutter to obstruct the opening;

a solenoid having a coil for moving the shutter to open 46 said opening upon energization of the solenoid coil; and

safety door control means to complete a circuit from the solenoid coil to a power source comprising a removable shelf disposed within said compartment, said shelf preventing entry of a child within said food storage compartment and being arranged to complete a circuit from the solenoid to a power source to move the shutter to unobstruct said opening, whereby removal of said shelf from said compartment will prevent energization of said solenoid to move the shutter to unobstruct said opening, the shutter thus blocking the opening preventing entry of the stud thereby preventing closing of the door until the shelf is replaced within the refrigerator.

11. The refrigerator cabinet of claim 10 including a switch associated with said shelf which is closed by disposal of the shelf within the refrigerator compartment.

12. The refrigerator cabinet of claim 10 in which the shelf forms an electrical current carrying part of the circuit for energization of said solenoid.

|13. The refrigerator cabinet of claim 10 in which there is an electric light to light the interior of the refrigerator which is energized on energization of the solenoid coil.

14. The refrigerator cabinet of claim 10 in which the door is provided with hinges and a resilient magnetic gasket for sealing against the cabinet, and in which the stud member is at the side of the door opposite the hinges on the door, the stud projecting from the door beyond the magnetic gasket sufficiently to permit an air gap, and the magnetic gasket engaging with portions of the cabinet remote from the stud thereby to prevent the door from swinging freely.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,194,190 7/1965 Horger 109-635 2,659,114 11/1953 Anderson et al 49-478 X 2,659,118 11/1953 Anderson et al. 49-478 2,673,377 3/1954 Gaugler 49-478 X 3,331,648 7/ 1967 Petkwitz et al 49-478 X CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

